Gas washer



June 24, 1930. .l H. A. STRAIN A' GAS WASHER Filed Oct. 6', 1927 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 fo Mig 4 @mi 2, Lm? 3 2 wm m WW.

June 24, 1930. n H. A. STRAIN GAS WASHER Filed 06t- 6, 1927 3 Sheets-Sheet '5 l a ffcul/e-zfor Patented June 24, 1930 UNITED STATES HABBY'A. STRAIN, or cHIcAeo, ILLINOIS Application led October 6, '1927. Serial 110.224,40?.

My invention relates to gas washers and" has particular reference to a gas washer used in connection with Ythe operation of blast furnaces for removing the dirt from the gas produced by the blast furnaces.

One object of my invention is the provision of a gas washer in which a stationary tower is employed having means therein for bringing the gasv into contactI with water introduced at the to' of the tower and in addition thereto emp oys a means for break ing up the gas waves and also to divide the bringing the gasand water into intimate contact with each other whereby the particles of dirt are entrained and removed from the gas. l y p Another object of myinvention is the provision of a gas washer having al beater arrangement incorporated therein Aby means of which waves` or surges of gas in the 4form of large bubbles which pass upward through the tower are broken up which prevents the gas from channeling, thereby enabling the lgas and water to be brought into more intimate contact with each other than 4has been possible heretofore, andalso keeps the gas ,f evenly distributed throughout `the gas .washer tower.

Gas washers for the purpose of cleaning blast furnace gas-havebeen divided into two classes; viz., stationary `and mechanical. The stationary type is comparatively cheap in operation and produces and eliminates to a5 a very great extent solid matter carried by the gas, but in the economical operation of a blast furnace plant it is found desirable to clean the gas beyond a point which has been possible with the-stationary type of cleaner. The mechanical washers, however, `are more expensive to operate than the stationary washers, and while it is possible to more thoroughly clean the gaswith the mechanical vthrough a These and other objects`of my invention will be more fully'and better understood by reference` to the accompanying sheets of drawings,`and in which lFigure 1 is a vertical sectional view gas washer tower embodying my invention;

Figure 2`is a detail vview partially in elevation and partially lin, section through the upper part of the tower, illustrating the beater and spray, 'arrangement of the tower;l

Figure 3 is adetail view showing the means for securing the paddles to the rotating water distributors;

Figure 4 is a partial cross sectional view` through the washer tower above the beating and spray arrangement; i

Figure 5 is a partial cross-sectional view. with the beater and spray arrangement removed;

Figure 6 is a top plan view ofthe mechanism employed for controlling the water valves; f y

Figure .7 is a vertical sectional view of the arrangement illustrated in Figure 6; and

Figure 8 is an elevational viewfof the apparatus illustrated in'Figure` 7.

`Referring now specifically to the drawings, a vertical gas washer shelllO is shown having an inlet pipe 11 secured/'thereto at its lo er end and apair of outlet pipes 12 and l n at the upper end thereof, connected to a single outlet pipe 12b with ya water outlet pipe 13 having a/valve 14 thereon positioned at the lower end of the shell 10 with a drain pipe 15 connected to the pipe 13 leadingto a drain 16 for'the purpose of carrying away the Water flowing out of the pipe 15. In. normal operation of thedevice the valve 14 is closed so that the water collects in the bottom of the -shell 10 and forms a Water seal to prevent the gas 'from passing out of the vlatlr .dischargepipes at the bottomof the s e At the upper end of thev shell 10, I providel a cover 17 below which a container, 18 projects which is in the form of an inverted truncated conewhich is secured to theA cover 17 in any suitable manner, and is supported by a plurality of beams 19, 19 extending transversely of the shell and rest thereon at veach of their ends and support the beating arrangement hereinafter described.

A water supply pipe is provided hav.

ing a valve 21 located therein which leads to a T 22, the inner end of "'the pipe and T being supported by a member 23 mounted upon one of the structural supports.19. The member 18 forms a complete enclosure for the operating parts forthe mechanical whirler or beater, thus preventin dirt from the gas ,and water from lodging in the bearings and causing them to `'be cut -out and destroyed in 'a short time. 'The beater and spray arrangement is made up 4of a `hollow pipe .24,-mounted in vertical 4position inside the member 17 andjhaving Litslower end projecting outward below the end of the .portion 18 of the member 17 An upper bearing 24-a'is provided 'for the pipe 24 whiehis' secured to and supported by the structural members 19in any approved manner and has thewusual renewable a babbitted bearing 25 positioned therein ment with the Babbitt bearingl 25.

with a collar vportion 26 of a bevel 'gear wheel 27 extending downward along the pipe 24 and forming a bearing in'engagej The bevel gear 27 has a second bevel gear 28 in engagement therewith, which is mounted'upon a, .motor shaft from' amotor '29, which is mounted upon fthe structural members 19, 19i To the lower portion of the member 18 is secured a truncated cone member 30, within which a vertical bearing 31 is positioned', .with a second bearing32, being Asecured to the pipe 24 and having an'outwardlyprojecting flange within which an upper' ballrace 34 is positioned` with a lower ball race 35 being mounted in the -member 30 with the Iusual ball'bearings positioned between` these races and 4serving to support the beater and spray mechanism. `This-bearing is kept supplied with:

la proper lubricant which forms a sealA againstthe escape of the gas into the houst ing 17.

. outer side 'of the pipe 35'isfixed a plurality* which water passes to the`pipe 4To the of nozzles 37, 37 these'nozzles` having their lupper i portion cut awaynatthe outer e'nd thereof so that flat surfaces 'arefformed,

vfrom which water passes in flat or. sheet formation instead of a round stream. The nozzles 37, 37-are set at an angleto the radii of the tower in 'af direction parallel` i .with theflow of water therefrom, thereby reducing the power necessary to rotate the beating arrangement.

Also secured to the pipe 35 and adjacent the upper marginal edgethereof is a plurality of paddles 38, 38'which project radially in a downwarddirection from the pipe 35 and also at an angle to the `radii of the gas washentower so -that -they will not throw the gasoutward to such a great extent. Mounted upon the pipe 24 is an inner circular pipe 39 `which is connected to the pipe 34 by hollow spokes 40, 40, this pipe having paddles 41, '41 extending radially therefrom in a downward direction and at an angle to the radiiv of the gas washer tower, in exactly the same manner as heretofore described with respect to the paddles 38, 38. The 'pipe 39 is. less in diameter than Wardly therefrom 'so that the space in the tower inward of the pipe 35 and to a lpoint .occupied by pipe 3 9 is .covered with a spray 'of water thrown from the pipe 39 through nozzles 37, 37 placed upon the outer side-of from to a point `immediatelybelow the pip'e [t is .therefore Yspaced inthe.pipe 39 andproject outwardly there@ 35. Attached tov a ring 42 extending around the pipe 24 is a plurality of paddles 43, 43,

these paddles' extending radially from the'l pipe'24 and downwardly therefrom and also i at an angle to the radii of the tower 10, and

terminate at `a point underneath thepipe 39, so that the entire cross sectional area of the tower 10 is covered by the paddles,

which perform the function' of beaters,

breaking up the bubbles or surges of gas and alsobeatin the water into a fine spray.

The pipe 24-adjacent the ring/42 and imme.- i

diately therebelow has a plurality of openings 44,', 44 therein through which the water is thrown into the tower immediately adjacent the pipe 24. v

The pipe 24' has aplurality of openings '45, 45v atthe lower end thereof by means of which pipe 24 :can be flushed, thereby removing the dirt' which collects in the bottom ofrthe pipe 24. A valve 46 is' pro-j vided which .is mpunted upon. arod 47 the Avalve 46 having openings therein ofthe `same diameter as `the openings 45 in the pipe 24, by means of which the openings ,'45 are opened and closed'as may be'desired.

In thenormaL- operation 'of' thedevice the openings 45 are closedby lifting the valve 46 on the rod 47 'and clamping it in closed position byfajpair of bolts 48 and 49, which extend through slots 50 and '51 in a plate 52, which is secured to a spider 53 mounted in the pipe 24 adjacent the T 22.

A Asecond valve member 54 is provided which is mounted "upon the' lower end of a pipe which extends upward and .has a Vmember 56 secured to the upper end thereof through which Abolts 57 I and .58 pass outwardly through-the plate 52 through slotted openings provided in the plate so'that adjustments of'- this -valve may` be made t0 nally of the pipe 24 and having a member 61 mounted ont the upperjjend thereof to which bolts 62 and 63,are secured"whic'h extend through slotted openings in the plate 52 and providemeans for the adjust-` ment of the valve 59 to control 'theilow of water into the spokes 40 of the circular pipe39.

A valve' member 64'is provided which is secured to a pipe 65 `extending longitudinally of'the pipe 24, and has amember 66 on the upper end thereof throughwhich a pair of bolts 67 and 68 pass through slotted openings in the plate 52, by means of which the valve 64 is held in a plurality of adjusted positions `thereby controlling the lflow of water into the spokes 36,36 leading to the pipe 35.

As shown, the pi e 60 is positioned inside of the pipe 65, wit the pipe 55 inside the pipe 60 andthe rod 47 passing longitudinally through the pipe 55, these pipes being nested together to provide means for' ad.- justment of 'the valves which are of the usual pistontype for controlling the quantity of water thrown fromthe pipe 24.

Secured to the inside ofthe shell is a cir-v cular plate 69 which -is supported by an angle 70 and by a channel member 71 mounted lupon an angle 72 secured to vthe side of the washer shell in any approved manner. The-plate 69 extends downwardly from the shell .10 and-has mounted thereon a plurality of spacedpaddles 73, 73, these paddles being immediately above `the paddles 38 mounted in the circular pipe' 35 and terminating above the said pipe 35. These paddles-73 extend inwardly parallel to the radii of the gas washer tower and also project upwardslightly or with respect to the horizontal plane ofthe tower 10 and parallel `to the paddles 38,l These paddles have a beating effect upon the gas as it is impnged .against these paddles because of the rotary movement given to it by the paddles 38. The flow of gas continues upward because of the pressure from theA column of. gas passing through the tower. l

Secured to the inner side ofthe shell 10 by 'vertically extending angles 74, 74 and vertically extending members 77, 77 are `positioned, to the ends of whicha circular member 78 is secured in any approved manner, the member 78 being of angular formation and having an inwardly and downwardly kprojecting portion 79, to which a plurality of paddles 80, 80 are secured, these is rotated.

paddles projecting inwardly and terminating adjacentl the pipe24.

Intermediate the ends ofthe member 76 is provided a pluralityof vertically extendlng members-81, 81 to which a circular angle member 82 is secured, this angle being immediatelyjbelow the circular pipe 39 and has secured thereto. a plurality of paddles-83, 83 which project'inwardly parallel to the lradii of the gas washer tower, and are above the paddles41 and lat an angle thereto and cooperate with the paddles 41 in the operationof thedevice forbeating the portion of the gas which passes upward through the tower in they area traversed By the paddles 41 as the beater and spraying arrangement outward through the'rotating arrangement which covers the entire cross sectional area of the gaslwasher tower and produces in th1s 'area avery line mist, thus effectively wash' ing the gas. VThe rotary paddles and sprays are arranged inthree units, each unit cov-v ering a predetermined area o'f the gaswasher tower. These units do not disturb the' even distribution of the gas throughout the tower, but the rotary paddles impart to the gas a-whirling motiononly, which in effect is checked bythe stationary paddles.

For'the purposev of bringing the gas and water in. closerelationship in the lower porchanneling .of the gas through the Water. AThese splash plates and rings also cause the water to beevenly distributed throughout the tower and remove the coarser particles of dirt out of. the gas. Immediately below the whirling and beating arrangement I provide a group of these splash plates and rings comprising a plate A84, the upper periphery of which is positioned adjacent the gas washer shell 1() and the lower edge of which is ypositioned inwardly therefrom, thereby providing a downwardly inclined 'surface over which water which is thrown against the gas washer shell 10 passes, thereby directing the flow of water'into the-effective cleaning area of the gas washer tower and also directing the upward How ofl gas into the effective area of the cleaning and beating arrangement heretofore described.

Below the splash plate 84 is a splash ring 85 positioned in a horizontal 'plane in the gas washer shell and supported by a circular 1rov member'86 having a cross member 87 therein upon which the splash ring 85 is mounted.

.This member is in the form of an isoceles triagle'in. cross section with the apex pointing upward towards the plate84. The lower marginal edge of the plate 84 is slightly outward from the apexof the ring` 85, so that water falling from the edge of this plate falls to the outsideof the ring 85. Spaced below the ring 85sis another ring 88 supported in the gas washer tower by circular angular member 89 and cross members 90 and v91, this member' also being in the sha-peof an isoceles triangle in cross section with its .apex po1nt1`ng upward inside ofthe inner edge of the upper ring 85, so that water l falling from the inner edge of thevring 85 falls on'the outside of the ring 88.' y

Immediatelybelow the ring 88.is a cone member 92 supported upon cross members 93 and94, vwhich in turn are supported upon an angle 95 secured to the side wall of the container l0, the apexof the cone 92 extendupward and directed to the renter oflower edge ofthe splash ring 88 and around which thevg'as passes in two directions, thence lpassing upward against the splash ring 85 around which the gas-passes in two directions. a`nd thence 'through the plate 84 and is directed into the effective cleaning "area'of the beating and spraying arrange- 1 :ments'heretofore described. By this system land arrangementof splash plates andI rings actly the same manner as! heretofore de- `tioned series.

neither the gas nor the water can pass lthrough the washer in a straight line but'4 Y must pursue a zigzag course, thereby ,pre-A venting'channeling of the gas'and also'effectively breaking up the bubbles or surges of gas and filling the tower with a fine spray or mist. An even distribution of thewater is also maintained in the lower part ofthe tower."

Below the cone. 95 is positioned -anotherv `4groupof splash plates similar to the series heretofore described-and which consists of a splash plate-96,21 splash ring 97, with' a jsmaller splash ring 98 anda cone 99, this series of splash rings being mounted iny exscribed with reference to the firstA men- Another group comprising a splash plate `and splash rings is also provided comprising a splash plate 99, triangular shaped rings 100' and 101 with a cone 102 mounted as lowermost of this y series with a large splash plate '103 mounted adjacent and slightly below the cone 102 .by means of which gas as fit enters the gas Washer is di rected to the center of 'the gas washer tower-- -and from whichthe streams of water pass'- i'ng downward to the bottom of the tower form a continuous sheet or stream .of water u through which 'gas must pass as it travelsv upward through the gas washer tower. It will also be understood that the gaswhich is dirtiestand at the bottom of the tower is brought into contact -witlr thedirtiest water and vas the gas proceeds through 'the-` tower the washing water carries with it less cleanest water' is brought .into Contact with the vc'leanest gas. The hottest vgas ,also comes into contact with the hottest water,-and the coolest gas with lthecoolest` water, with the .result thatvthe gas -has-.alow moisture content and also lower gas velocity.

In the operation of the device, g mitted through' the inlet pipe 11. where it passes through the water 'flowing downward 4through thek gas washer tower and from theI lower end of the splash plate 103, and passes upward through theiiowing sheets of water from the various splash plates and rings and comes Ain contact lwith the lower surfaces of the splash rings, thereby impinging against` such surfaces the particles of dirt carried by the gas and passing upward through the various splash plates until it reaches the beater which' isirotating at a very high rate of speed, preferably about 300 revolutions per minute,and which by reason of therapid rotation of the arrangement and the liow of water from the pipes 35 and 39 and through the openings 44 forms an exceedingly dense spray in the upper part of the tower through by the valves in the lower end of the pipe 24 so that enough water is suppliedto this as is ad- 4which the gas must ass. The'quantity ofl -water flowing from t e pipe 24 isy regulated arrangement to form an exceedingly dense spray Aof very tine particles of water and as the gas passes through this spray it is beaten and .brought into direct contact with thel rotating paddles and also with the stationary paddles against which the particles ofl dirt are impinged, these surfaces being wet, causing the particles. of dirtto adhere to them very'closely and from which 'they are washed by' a spray of .water thrown against the surfaces. These' valves also perform the function of supplying the prop'er quantityv of water to each of the-three spraying units -so that the gas How is kept uniform through the spraying and beating arrangement. rllhe density of the sprayin each of the units must be, kept uniform or else the gas will flow through the unit having the least water and around the unit having the most dense 80 sol1d material than' at the bottom ofl the tower so that at the top of the tower the' Vstationary type of washer.

spray. In this manner the fine particles of dust and dirt remaining in the gas are removed until I nd in practical operation that the gas contains very-little dirt and; is cleaned to a much more thorough degree than hasbeen heretofore possible with the While I have described more or less `pre- .cisely thedetails of construction, I do not wish t'o be understood .as limiting myself thereto, as I contemplate changes in form and the proportion of .parts and .the substitution of equivalents as circumstances A'may suggest or render expedient without departing from the-spirit or scope of my invention.

I claim: i

' 1. A gas washer comprising in combination, a tower having a gas, inlet and a-gas outlet,` a rotatable spray and beating arrangement mounted in said tower, and `a se-v ries of splash rings mounted in said tower between the spray arrangement andthe gas inlet, the said splash rings being arranged in concentric series in staggered relation with each other in said tower.

2. A'gas washer comprising in combination, a tower having a gas inlet and a gas outlet, means for supplying water in the upper end of said tower, anda plurality of series of splash rings in' said tower, each series comprising a pluralit of concentrically arranged rings eachv o said rings being in spaced'vertical relation with each other and in oset horizontal relation with each other, the said rings being triangular in cross-sectional shape, having their apexes -directed upward and their bases extending downward.

3. A gas washer comprising in combination, a tower having a. as inlet and a gas outlet, means for supp ying water -in the upper end of said tower, and a pluralit of series of splash rings in vsaid tower, eac series comprising a pluralit of concentrically arranged rings, each o said rings be' ing in spaced vertical relation with. each other and in oiset horizontal relation with each other, each of said rings having slop-` ing sides, the said rings being so arranged thatwater drains from the inner and outer edges ofsaid rings whereby sheets of water are formed depending from each splash ring.

4. A gas washer comprising in combination, a tower having a gas inlet and a gas outlet, means for supplying water to the upper portion of said tower, a plurality of splash ringsV arranged in. concentric r'elation with each other in said tower andin spaced vertical relation with each other, and splash plates mounted above each series of' splash rings, adapted to` direct the iow of water inward from the 'sides of the gas washer tower.

5. A gas washer comprising `1n combination, a tower having a gas lnlet and a gas outlet, `a rotatable water pipe mounted in said tower, a plurality of concentrically arranged spray pipes connected to said rotatable water pipe,paddles carried by said spray pipes and cooperating stationary paddles mounted in said gas washer tower in spaced relationwith the lpaddles on said spray pipes.

6. A gas washer comprising in combination, a tower having a gas inlet and a gas outlet, a rotatably mounted water pipe in said tower, a plurality of concentrically arranged spray pipes in said tower, means connecting said spray pipes with said water pipe, paddles on said spray pipes in angular disposition to the radius of the gas washer tower, and stationary paddles mounted o'n said gas washer tower in spaced relation with said first mentioned paddles,

the said' paddles and -spray arrangement cov-l ering the entire cross sectional area of the sald tower.

7. A gas washer comprising in eombination, a tower having agas inlet and avgas outlet, ahousing mount, in the upper end of said tower, a vertical water pipe rotatably mountedin sadfhousing and projecting therebelow, a plurality of circular spray pipes connected to said water pipe paddles mounted on said spray pipespspray nozzles mounted in said pipe proJecting at,

an angle to the radii of the gas washer tower, and a plurality of sets of paddles mounted on said gas washer tower and adapted to cooperate with the paddles mounted on said water pipes.

8. A gas washer comprising in combination, a tower having a gas inlet and a gas outlet, a vhousing in said tower, a rotatable water pipe -mounted in said housing, a plurahtyofspray pipes, hollow members connecting said water pipe and said spray pipes,

and sets of paddles connected to said water spray pipes and the said water pipe, the said sets of paddles being arranged to cover substantially the entire cross vsectional area of the said tower. i w

9. A gas washer comprising'in combination, a tower having,.a gaslinlet and a gas outlet, a housing in said tower, a rotatable water pipe mounted in said housing, a plu*- rality Vof spi-ay pipes, hollow members connecting said water pipe and said spray pipes, sets of paddles connected to said water spray pipes and the 'water pipe, and

other paddles .mounted in sets .above said l y`irstmentioned setsy orI paddles, the said sets.

fao

-ery o of paddles being arranged'to coverA substantially the'entire crosssectional area of the said tower. x

11. A gas washer, comprising in combina# tion a tower having a gas inletand a gas outlet, a housin- ,v -a-'rotatably mounted .wa-

.ter pipe` in said ousing and extending into thev gas washer tower, a pluralityv of circular spray pipes, pipes connectingsaid spray pipes with said rotatably mounted water 'p1pes, paddles mounted on said spray pipes,

and cooperating paddles adapted `to'` cooperate with the paddles on said spray pipes and spaced therefrom.

12. A gas washer, comprising in combination a tower having a gas inlet and a ygas outlet, a housing 1in said tower, a rotatably mounted waterpipein saidhousing extend ing outof said housing into -said tower, a

plurality. of circular spray pipes, other pipes connecting said spray pipes with said water pipe, fpaddles mounted rin the.'V outer periphsaidspray pipes and extending -out- -paddles;'

ward therefrom', and cooperatin secured to the wall of. the gas was er tower i v 'extending inwardlytherefrom, the last men# tioned paddle'sbein mounted adjacent the `pathof the travel o the paddles on the said 1 spray pipes.

13. A gas washer, .comprising in combination, a tower having a as-Vinlet'and 'a gas outlet, a housingin sai tower, a rotata ly .mounted water pipe insaid'housing and extending into sa1d tower, a plurality of circular sprayypipes arranged in concentric y.of October, 1927.

4rings insaid tower, each series comprising arranged'ln cona p urality of splashringls th d t d t o er a ap e o centric relation with eac Vspread the water in two directions into curtainflike formations fromlthefdepending edges, a splash plate \connected to the gas washer tower mounted above each series of splash rings, and means for supplying Water -to said gas washer tower.

Illinois, this '3rd day lHARRY A. STRAIN.-

" Signed' at Chicago,

yso

relation with each other, paddles in the outer periphery y of said spray pipes and extending outward therefrom, cooperating` paddles'mounted 'on said tower and extendl ing inwardlytherefrom, .the last mentioned paddles being in sets to correspond -withthe paddles on saidspray pipes, and means to control the ow-of water from said water pipe'into said'spray pipes.

14. A gas washer, comprising "incombina-' tion, a towerh'aving a gas inlet and a gas v i outlet, a housing in said tower, a rotatably Vmounted waterpipe in'said housing `and kextending into said tower, a plurahty'of from said water pipe into said spray pipes.

15. A gas washer, lcomprising in combination, a tower having'a gas inlet and a gas outlet, a plurality of series of splash 

